Australia Watchdog Questions Twitter's Efforts Against Online Hate; eSafety Releases New Report

Australian watchdog eSafety is now asking for Twitter's efforts to prevent online hate.

The online safety agency released a new report to demand answers from the social media giant after it discovered that Twitter is the most complained about platform for online hate.

eSafety explained that the legal notice it issued to Twitter is seeking information about what the social media firm is doing to solve online hate.

Australia Watchdog Questions Twitter's Efforts Against Online Hate

According to Business Insider's latest report, eSafety said that it is prepared to fine Twitter $450,000 (700,000 AUD) if it can't provide the needed answers regarding how it tackles online hate.

"eSafety received more complaints about online hate on Twitter in the past 12 months than any other platform," said the Australian watchdog via its official letter.

eSafety added that they received an increasing number of online abuse reports ever since Elon Musk acquired the social media platform in October 2022.

The Australian watchdog explained that the increasing Twitter complaints are linked to the global workforce reductions conducted by the social media giant.

eSafety believes that the lack of employees could be preventing Twitter from tackling hate messages on the online platform.

Twitter Not Enforcing Online Hate Policies?

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said that Twitter has policies that prohibit online hate and other harmful online activities.

However, since the agency receives rising numbers of online hate complaints, Twitter might not be enforcing these safety regulations effectively.

"We are seeing a worrying surge in hate online," said Grant.

He added that their research discovered that 1 out of 5 Australian users experience some form of online hate.

The eSafety commissioner further stated that if users are disabled, identify as LGBTIQ+ or a First Nations Australian, they are likely to experience online hate.

"Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate. A third of all complaints about online hate reported to us are now happening on Twitter," he explained.

As of writing, Twitter hasn't provided an answer to eSafety regarding the rising online hate complaints happening on the platform.

You can click here to learn more about why eSafety is questioning the efforts of Twitter on online hate.